In today’s battlefield environment, electronic warfare (EW) and advanced electronic systems play a vital role in mission success. Whether friendly or adversarial, thousands of signals — ranging from comms and radar to jamming and attack — are scattered throughout the environment and encountered every second, impacting any electronic equipment that passes through. These signals are generated across multiple domains, including ground, sea, sub-surface, air and space. It is more important than ever to be prepared for this complex electromagnetic environment and be able to identify, locate and act on signals to execute missions effectively.
To prepare for real-world operations in EW-contested environments, platforms can be tested on the range or via EW/electromagnetic environment simulation. EW simulation is a highly advanced and constantly evolving capability that enables testing in a lab setting, without the need for an aircraft to leave the ground. The key to effective EW simulation is being able to accurately replicate the phase, amplitude and time of arrival of signals to the system under test enabling it to identify the types of threats being simulated. Having the ability to simulate these complex signals quickly and accurately so they replicate real-world physics allows a large percentage of testing to take place in a lab environment, before the aircraft is tested on a range where it will encounter signals generated by real emitters.
Alongside the convenience of not having to leave the lab to test a system, cost-savings is another major benefit of EW simulation. Taking into account the fuel, equipment, maintenance, etc. required to test on the range, it can cost tens of thousands of dollars hourly to conduct testing operations. EW simulation is a considerably cheaper method to prepare vehicles in a lab, leading to significant cost-savings when performing testing that does not require operation in a range.
While EW simulation has been around for quite some time, the introduction of new threats and the ever-growing complexity of the electromagnetic environment demands simultaneous advancement and improvement of EW simulation capabilities. Textron Systems’ state of the art A2PATS® system addresses this challenge, offering highly sophisticated and accurate electromagnetic environment simulation capabilities for radar warning receivers (RWRs), electronic support measure suites, fusion engines and communication sensors. The system’s direct port architecture enables extremely precise phase, amplitude and time of arrival replication of radio frequency (RF) signals and covers low band frequencies as low as 500 kilohertz all the way up to millimeter frequencies as high as 40 gigahertz.
One of the many advanced capabilities the A2PATS system offers is simultaneous simulation of communication intelligence (COMINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) signals. Having the ability to simulate both COMINT and ELINT signals at the same time allows you to model and stimulate an entire integrated air defense system (IADS) opposed to just a single part of the chain like a SAM site or a ground control station. Textron Systems continues to upgrade the digital processing chain for next generation advanced threat modeling, number of loadable signals and higher pulse density requirements to support the needs of the future.
The A2PATS simulator’s open-architecture design makes it modular in nature and enables scaling based on the needs of the customer. Textron Systems offers desktop, mini, single and multi-cabinet configurations, enabling system output up to 16 million pulses per second (MPPS) per port, with the capability to increase as needed. The A2PATS system can be complemented with several user tools such as emulators, scoring tools and PDW injectors for additional confidence, expansion and support.
With signals across the battlespace evolving at a rapid pace, it is more vital than ever to invest in testing and training systems that can keep you prepared for current and future missions. Trust Textron Systems’ A2PATS and its simulation capabilities to give you confidence in your mission while navigating today’s congested electromagnetic environment.
Visit our website to learn more: https://www.textronsystems.com/products/a2pats-family-products.
